Glossary
Wholesale phone trading terms explained
Everything you need to know about grading, pricing, and trading in the wholesale phone market, in plain language.
Grading & Condition
ABC Mix
A bulk lot containing a mixture of Grade A, B, and C devices. The grade ratio varies by supplier. Priced at a blended rate. Popular with high-volume buyers who can sort and resell by grade. Always ask for the grade distribution before purchasing.
Grade A
A refurbished device in like-new condition. Minimal to no signs of use. Screen is flawless, body has no scratches or dents, all functions work perfectly. Battery health is typically above 85%. Trades at a 10-20% discount vs new wholesale price.
Grade B
A refurbished device in good condition with light signs of use. Minor scratches on the body, possibly a faint mark on the screen not visible when the display is on. All functions work. Battery health usually above 80%. Trades at 20-35% below new pricing. The most traded grade in the European wholesale market.
Grade C
A refurbished device in fair condition showing noticeable wear. Visible scratches, possible small dents, screen marks that may be slightly visible when on. All core functions work. Trades at 35-50% below new wholesale price.
HS (Hardware/Software)
Devices with functional issues such as cracked screens, faulty buttons, battery problems, or software locks (e.g., iCloud lock). Typically bought for parts or refurbishment. Trades at 50-70% below new wholesale price.
Refurbished
A pre-owned device that has been professionally inspected, tested, repaired if necessary, and restored to working condition. Refurbished phones are graded (A, B, C) based on cosmetic condition. They trade at 30-55% below new wholesale prices depending on model and grade.
Trading & Pricing
FMV (Fair Market Value)
The price at which a phone would sell in an open, competitive market between willing buyers and sellers. FMV for wholesale phones is best determined by comparing prices across multiple suppliers. Tools like Priceforce.ai help establish FMV by aggregating supplier pricing data.
Lot
A batch or group of phones sold together as a single unit. Wholesale phones are often sold in lots of 10-500+ units. Lot purchases typically offer lower per-unit pricing but require larger capital outlay. Lots may be single-model or mixed.
Margin
The difference between what you pay for a phone (buy price) and what you sell it for (sell price). In wholesale phone trading, margins typically range from 3-5% on new devices to 15-25% on refurbished. Maximizing margins requires comparing prices across multiple suppliers.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
The smallest number of units a supplier will sell in a single order. Common in wholesale phone trading, MOQs can range from 10 units for small suppliers to 500+ for large distributors. Lower MOQs typically come at higher per-unit prices.
Price List
A document from a supplier listing available products and their prices. In the wholesale phone market, price lists come in many formats including Excel, PDF, WhatsApp messages, CSV, or even screenshots. They typically include model, storage, grade, price, and stock availability.
Wholesale Price
The price at which phones are sold in bulk between businesses (B2B). Wholesale prices are significantly lower than retail and vary based on supplier, volume, grade, and market conditions. Comparing wholesale prices across suppliers is critical for maximizing margins.
Devices & Specs
Battery Health
A percentage indicating the battery's maximum capacity relative to when it was new. An iPhone with 85% battery health holds 85% of its original charge. Battery health is a key factor in device grading. Grade A typically requires 85%+, Grade B requires 80%+.
IMEI
International Mobile Equipment Identity, a unique 15-digit number identifying every mobile phone. Used to verify device authenticity, check if a phone is reported stolen or blacklisted, and confirm warranty status. Essential for due diligence in wholesale trading.
Storage Variant
The internal storage capacity of a phone (e.g., 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB). Storage significantly impacts wholesale price. A 256GB iPhone typically trades at 10-20% more than the 128GB version. Higher storage variants hold value better over time.
Business & Operations
B2B (Business-to-Business)
Transactions between businesses rather than between a business and consumer. Wholesale phone trading is primarily B2B. Brokers sell to retailers, distributors, or other wholesalers. B2B deals involve larger volumes, lower per-unit prices, and often payment terms (Net 30, Net 60).
Broker
A person or company that buys and sells wholesale phones, typically without holding large inventory. Brokers connect suppliers with buyers and earn margins on the price difference. Success depends on speed, supplier relationships, and accurate price comparison.
Buyback
The process of purchasing used phones from consumers or businesses for resale in the wholesale market. Buyback companies set purchase prices based on device model, grade, storage, and current wholesale resale values. Accurate pricing requires real-time wholesale market data.
Lead Time
The time between placing an order and receiving the phones. Lead times in wholesale phone trading range from same-day (local suppliers with stock) to 2-3 weeks (international shipments). Shorter lead times usually command premium pricing.
SKU
Stock Keeping Unit, a unique identifier for a specific product configuration. In phone trading, a SKU typically combines model + storage + color + grade (e.g., 'iPhone 15 Pro 256GB Black Grade A'). Accurate SKU matching across suppliers is essential for price comparison.